Magic Monday

[ecosophia]

It's coming up on midnight, so here we go with a new Magic Monday. The picture is the best image I could find of that force of nature, T. Galen Hieronymus, inventor of the Hieronymus Machine and electroshamanic cult figure extraordinaire. He's one of the many people in modern industrial society who discovered the thing you're not supposed to discover, the thing Carl von Reichenbach (last week's occult poster child) called Od -- the thing that Chinese martial artists call qi, Hindu yogins call prana, Druids call nwyfre, and characters in my fantasy novels call voor. Yes, we're talking about the life force. Hieronymus called it eloptic energy, because he found that it behaved like electricity in some ways and like light (i.e., optically perceived electromagnetic energy) in others, and he built a series of remarkable electronic contraptions to work with it. Legendary SF editor John Campbell discovered, in turn, that the Hieronymus Machine still worked when you swap out the electronic components for a paper circuit diagram, proving that Hieronymus had invented the world's first tunable talisman. Yes, I have one in my study...

Ask me anything about occultism and I'll do my best to answer it. Any question received by midnight Monday Eastern time will get an answer, though it may be Tuesday before I get to them all. If you're in a hurry, or suspect you may be the 143,916th person to ask a question, please check out the very rough version 1.0 of The Magic Monday FAQ here.

I've had several people ask about tipping me for answers here, and though I certainly don't require that I won't turn it down. You can use the button below to access my online tip jar. 

With that said, have at it!

***This Magic Monday is now closed to new questions -- and yes, this means you. See you next week!***

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

What is your take on "Smartest Guy in the Room Syndrome"?

I've noticed it is pervasive in collegiate types, especially those who teach professionally. Personally, I tend to really enjoy these types in small doses. They are willing to argue, which is usually fun. That said, serious issues always prop up, given enough time.

First, I've noticed the SGINTRs tend to confuse their own rather rigid thought-structures for The Truth, and so often will argue things which are incoherent. They also try to shoehorn things that can only be approached with awe into things that can be grasped by the human mind, which I find impious. Usually they have one or two hobby horses that they try to relate everything to regardless of relevance. Given all of this, they are oddly easily swayed when another person uses a flashy and bold style to present a line of thinking. They are effortlessly easy to con, but paradoxically display excellent sense in sniffing out marks.

All of this combines with poor personal boundaries, a drearily didactic bearing, and often what I can only describe as lousy personal hygiene. They seem to fall into treating whomever they relate to as a student, even if that is not in any way a part of the relationship.

[(Anonymous)]

oh no! the last part got clipped!

Basically I ask why this may be, and may be so consistently?

Sphere of Protection

[(Anonymous)]

So, several days ago, I started doing the Sphere of Protection. I've only just begun, so at this point, I'm only doing the opening and closing. The first day that I did it, I noticed that my mood was elevated afterwards, and I immediately wanted to do it again. I did it about a half dozen times that first day! Another thing that I noticed was that after I was done, I found myself with a deep desire to clean my apartment.
I do, however, have one question: you state that I should face whatever direction is sacred in my tradition. The tradition that I am working in is Catholic, and I do not know of any sacred direction, so I've just been facing out the window. Do you, or anyone else here, know if and what the Catholic sacred direction is, or am I okay doing things the way that I have been doing them?
Thanks!

Re: Sphere of Protection

[ecosophia]

Delighted to hear it. In Catholicism the sacred direction is east -- that's the direction you face in a traditionally designed Catholic church when you're facing the altar during Mass. Still, if facing out the window works for you, face out the window!

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG -

Two questions:

1) I’ve begun a daily geomantic divination using the question “What do I need to know about tomorrow?’” Can I learn what I need to know from a single figure, or do I need to do a full shield chart?

2) Is Geomancy a part of any of your systems of magic?

Dave

[ecosophia]

1) Cast the whole chart and interpret the judge and witnesses; later on, as you become more skilled, pay attention to the triplicities and the Way of Points. A single figure is very vague.

2) The system of Druidical magic taught in my book The Celtic Golden Dawn uses geomancy as its major divinatory system. In Golden Dawn magic generally it's one of the three main systems, and there's also a system of magic derived from Renaissance practice covered in my book The Art and Practice of Geomancy.

[causticus]

Hello JMG,

1. I just started the Greek pagan Middle Pillar exercise today (I've been doing banishings every day for about 2 months now), and I noticed immediate effects right after I finished. I felt rather "high" in a subtle way. And after that I've felt a lot more energetic than I can remember for quite some time. Is something like this normal after doing this practice the first time? If this is indeed normal, it looks like I have quite a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks!

2. Do you think in the near-to-distant future there will be a major backlash against alternative spirituality movements and practices as a whole after the inevitable swing back to conservatism happens in the West? I feel like there might be lot of secular-minded people returning to Christianity in a not-so-heartfelt way and basically using the religion as a type of identity politics (yeah I know, nothing new there) to counteract the Left's noxious identity politics. And of course another "Satanic panic" moral panic could emerge out of such a paradigm shift. Will us "weirdos" have to once again go underground and practice in silence?

[ecosophia]

1) That's very common. In a few weeks you can expect to go through a "doldrums" phase when the Middle Pillar doesn't seem to be doing anything at all; then it'll balance out, and the real work begins.

2) My guess is that the backlash will be against atheist materialism instead, and us weirdos will be largely ignored.

Talismans

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

I had asked this on the open post but I think my question got lost amongst others as I didn't see a response. Forgive me if I missed it or if I'm repeating myself unnecessarily.

After consecrating a talisman via the Circles of Power rituals, instructions are given to put it in a safe container such as an envelope which won't block etheric energies. Before the end of the ritual, its advised to keep the talisman in silk or linen to protect its etheric energies.

Does the talisman stay wrapped in silk/linen when its put inside the other container/envelope after consecration?

Thanks,
Conner

Re: Talismans

[ecosophia]

Nope. That would limit its capacity to radiate those energies and have an effect on the world. You slide it out of the cloth and into the envelope, and then put it somewhere where you're not doing banishing rituals -- preferably in the bottom of a drawer or the back of a closet, where it won't be disturbed.

Unsought vision

[(Anonymous)]

Since I started doing the middle pillar exercise regularly a few years ago, I've occasionally had experiences of the sphere of Kether - the one just overhead - spontaneously lighting up and making my scalp feel funny. This typically happens while I'm sitting around talking to friends. I neither seek nor try to suppress it. It generally lasts only a minute or two, then fades away. It makes me feel like I'm putting out good energy, and is pleasant enough.

I've been working with Solar energy for some time. Yesterday, while talking with some very old friends in a cafe, I had this experience. Only this time it was accompanied by an unexpected vision. I imagined quite vividly that I was wearing a golden helmet. It was a very ornate one, reminiscent of Leonardo's parade helmets:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary#/media/File%3AIl_Condottiere.jpg

In fact it was even fancier than that, in multiple levels, rather like the classic Hermetic illustration of the chariot of antimony. The sensation that accompanied it was pleasant rather than otherwise, but I was certainly surprised.

So - am I in danger of becoming a solar egomaniac? Could you speculate as to what this signifies?

Re: Unsought vision

[ecosophia]

Don't worry about it. The work with the Kether center is activating some of the minor centers in your head, and causing complex energy discharges; this probably means that you've done some kind of similar work in a previous life. Work on staying grounded -- massage is good for this, and so is a diet that includes meat -- and you'll be fine.

Working to Improve Effectiveness of Communication

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG

I have been planning to use the current period of very strong Mercury to do a natural magic working to help with an advertising campaign for my business. I confidently developed my intention but the Ogham was unimpressed, giving a definite “no”.

I then reconstructed the intention with a more modest goal and still got a “no”. Through several meditations the idea came that I needed to do a ritual working in a grove ceremony rather than a natural working.

I did a yes/no divination on a natural vs ritual vs no working at all. Ritual received a “yes”. So I am now developing a plan for a “transform the world” ritual working to assist with our advertising campaign.

My questions:

1. Is there any benefit in conducting the ceremony this Wednesday, during the Mercury hour (Mercury is conjunct Sun this Wed morning too)?

2.If so, is it appropriate to invoke Mercury’s energies during the grove ceremony?

3. When invoking planetary energies for specific purposes, is it beneficial to simply perform an action on the day and hour of the planet, with maybe a few words of reverence to the planet? Or is a more formal working the only way to go? I note you post on your main blog on a Wednesday - do you send of each post with a special mention of Mercury?

As always many thanks for your generous advice.

Re: Working to Improve Effectiveness of Communication

[ecosophia]

1) Yes, that would be helpful.

2) You can do that if you like.

3) Both are appropriate and traditional. Choose whichever one you like. As for my weekly posts, I'll let you draw your own conclusions... ;-)

Greek deities for Spirit Below

[(Anonymous)]

I've been doing the SOP a couple of months, but I'm stuck about moving on to Spirit Below because I don't know which deity to invoke. I do feel pretty certain that Dionysos is probably the wrong god for me personally to be invoking at the moment, and I am sure about not using his name for Spirit Below. But then, when I try to find alternatives, I get into what might be overthinking.
I am already invoking Demeter for Earth. (I feel Artemis to be about being on the surface of the earth and movement on it, rather than the stillness of the Earth element.)
Persephone? I'm not sure she's below enough, as she's only there for half the year, though it is at least coming up for fall.
Hekate? You shouldn't mess around with Hekate and I'm not one of those people who's otherwise ever felt the urge to.
You already said a few weeks ago to another questioner that Hades wasn't a good choice and likewise he isn't someone I am comfortable with invoking.
Gaia? The mythology shows her in conflict with Apollo, who is a presence I am certain I want in the SOP...but then a lot of the Greek deities have conflicts with each other.
I'm familiar with the Apollo-Dionysos binary but as it only seems to date from Nietzsche I don't feel it's totally necessary.

Re: Greek deities for Spirit Below

[ecosophia]

Okay, first, the Apollo-Dionysos binary wasn't original to Nietzsche; it shows up in the writings of Robert Fludd a good two centuries before Nietzsche got there. (I'm not sure where Fludd got it.)

What I'd recommend, if you don't want to work with Dionysos, to move Apollo to the East -- as the god of light and intellect, he's well suited to the eastern quarter -- and Zeus to Spirit Above. Then invoke Gaia as Spirit Below.

Yes, this will require to back up a bit. Tomorrow, just do Air, invoking Apollo; proceed to add in the others, one per day; then spend your week on Spirit Below, and go on from there.

[booklover1973]

Hello, JMG!

A while ago you wrote an article about the end of the Axial Age. Where can I find it?

Thanks!

Axial age article

[(Anonymous)]

Here is the reference: https://ecosophia.dreamwidth.org/21357.html

Looks like a great book to request your local library to order as well!

https://www.rowmaninternational.com/book/the_task_of_philosophy_in_the_anthropocene/3-156-e188aa00-524f-4ea4-b3c4-c07bafe3545a

Hieronymus Machine

[(Anonymous)]

Hello!

Can you point us to internet resources about how to build a paper version of this machine and how to use it?

Many thanks!

Re: Hieronymus Machine

[(Anonymous)]

This one seems to have clear instructions and and a pdf to download and print. https://josephmax.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/symbolic-hieronymus-machine/

[(Anonymous)]

Dear JMG,

1. Last week I posted here a long meditation about Druidry and the elements, and posted another meditation on the Ecosophia blog. You wrote last time here though that I should look to see how these concepts apply to every day life. I have a tendency to intellectualize and stay stuck in the mind. Do you have any advice about how to apply these concepts to my regular life? Of course I will continue to meditate on this, but any practical advice you can offer would be most welcome!

2. One other thing popped up during meditation: because Water corresponds to the emotions, but also learning and development, it struck me that the element of water could also therefore correspond to the subconscious mind. Do you think that’s the case?

Thank you very much as always!

[ecosophia]

1) Use your imagination. Outside of meditation -- just sitting on a chair is fine -- imagine a scene in daily life that expresses the first concept you want to work with, then imagine another scene in which the concept is lacking and would be very helpful! You can do this as though watching a movie: see the people and the setting as clearly as you can, hear the words and the tone in which they're spoken, and so on.

2) Correspondences are tools, not truths. Does it help you to understand the subconscious to think of it as watery? Then that correspondence is one you should use.

Reincarnation

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

I've noticed something a bit strange lately, and I'd like a sanity check...

On my blog, and in some private fora, I've been discussing the concept of reincarnation as it's introduced in Bardddas - and also on your blogs, I think.

Briefly, the purpose of reincarnation is that the spirit, on its long journey from Annwn to Gwynfyd, slowly progresses through ever-more complex forms of life, each with a slightly greater capacity for abstract thought, self-awareness, and moral choice. The spirit will incarnate many times in each species until it has fully explored, and mastered, that species' full ability to exercise these attributes. Humans are the species with the greatest potential capacity to use them; master everything humans can do with them, and it's onwards to the non-corporeal forms of existence.

Now, I accept it's likely I've misinterpreted Barddas, and that I've misunderstood what you've written on the topic... but don't *think* so. Equally likely is that I'm simply not communicating the concept clearly.

So, given those caveats, I find it very strange that on this topic alone, I get huge pushback. I keep getting comments that this puts humans on a pedestal, even if I explain that this is not about which species is 'most important' in the ecosphere. I get the feeling, though I haven't asked, that many of the people who protest about this are happy to accept reincarnation and karma in Buddhism, but don't want to see it in contemporary Druidry - even though it's been there from the beginning...

I wonder if it is maybe a reaction of refugees from Christianity against the concept of man being master of the world - which, of course, is not at all what it's saying. Or, perhaps, it's a dislike for the "actions have consequences" or "spiritual development is a path with a destination, and it requires change and growth" suggestions. Don't know.

Anyway, I found it odd that this concept was meeting such resistance, and I was wondering if you've encountered it, and/or have any comments about it?

Diolch yn fawr,

Bogatyr

Re: Reincarnation

[(Anonymous)]

My experience is lots of people are fine with "funny, clueless foreigners" holding ideas like karma, but how can "educated, intelligent Westerners"?

Then there's also the fact that asking them to accept actions have consequences hits a fairly major sore spot for a lot of people these days....

[(Anonymous)]

What would be the consequences for future lives of choosing not to go in the direction that your higher self wanted you to go? I did a Coelbren three rays reading asking 'Does my higher self want me to do a PhD?' I got Hi as the left ray, E as the right ray and Fi as the central ray. I took this as a yes, and that my best move would be to change course and do the PhD, but I'd have to be really careful as there were plenty of obstacles if I did.I have already qualified for a PhD, which simplifies things a bit, however I can't do without the income from working at the moment. Even with a scholarship it would be really hard financially to study for three plus years. Add to that the risks of pursuing an academic career (not that that's the only option for PhD graduates), and it starts looking really dicey. I would love to do it but a lot of things would have to fall into place to make it an acceptable risk.

1. Is my reading of the Coelbren correct?
2. What might be the consequences of putting off the study, or never getting around to it for economic reasons, if my higher self really does want to have that experience? I've got a rough idea from what you've shared about your last life...
3. Is there any way to balance spiritual imperatives and the basic common sense and 'rationality' needed to survive in an industrial society, other than assessing each situation on its merits?

Thank you for Magic Mondays!

[ecosophia]

Okay, first, did you consider casting another reading saying, "What will happen if I don't pursue a Ph.D. at this time?" Keep in mind that your higher self may be saying, "Yeah, that would be fine" when a dozen other options would also be good for you.

Second, it's never a good idea to make major life choices on the basis of a single divination! Take your time, mull over the options, meditate on it, cast a variety of divinations exploring different angles of the situation. That's partly an answer to your third question.

Third, if your higher self really wants you to get a Ph.D., it will arrange things so that you have the opportunity. It has more control over your circumstances than your conscious mind does! You can ask it for help in understanding what it wants -- that was part of the basis for the old custom of watching for omens. Ask it to give you some kind of sign in your daily life if you're meant to pursue a Ph.D, and then see what happens.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG!

1) Suppose someone were to realize that their polytheist Middle Pillar set-up included a deity they are actually quite wary of and, while that deity was a good fit for the energy center in question, it was actually not a good idea to call on them. Suppose that person arrived, with the help of divination, at an appropriate replacement deity... could that person start switching out the deity just like that or is it better to stop doing the MP for a few days? Should the "energies" of the first deity be allowed to "dissipate" first, so to speak?

2) Does switching out the deity set you back with regard to the development of the energy center? I suppose it wouldn't be a big deal for me if yes because I don't feel the energy center at all while I feel nearly all the others by now (in fact that's why I think what I'm doing isn't working for that center - I think something in me is blocking the progress because I don't want to let the deity come too close.)

Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

[ecosophia]

1) Just switch it. I've done that several times.

2) No, quite the contrary. I originally learned the Middle Pillar in its classic Cabalistic form, using Hebrew divine names; when I switched to Druidical divine names, there was no decrease in the center's energy at all.

[(Anonymous)]

Hello JMG,

In an earlier MM, you mentioned that if a human soul screws up particularly badly, they can effectively be annulled so that they no longer come into incarnation.

Would a character such as Ian Brady, a man so toxic that his ashes were jettisoned into the middle of the North Sea, be a candidate for this kind of fate? I can't think of anyone less reformable.

[ecosophia]

I've noticed that whenever I mention this, people immediately start trying to think of candidates for that fate. That doesn't seem productive to me. Whatever fate the soul of Ian Brady received is the one that's appropriate for him, and based on what I know of karma, it's certain to be horrific -- for example, he might expect to be reborn into a severely abusive family and then gang-raped to death before the age of ten, not just once, but as many times as the crimes he committed -- or that figure squared. Karma isn't gentle.

[mmelvink]

Hi JMG,

A friend of mine is in need of some talisman troubleshooting, which I'm afraid is above my paygrade! Upon learning that her Saturn could use strengthening (peregrine and retrograde, but with a number of accidental dignities), she bought and consecrated one of Chris Warnock's gorgeous Saturn talismans (https://www.renaissanceastrology.com/saturnarabictabletalisman.html). And boy did it work -- all too well: the year since she activated it has been one of the emotionally and physically heaviest, most difficult and financially ruinous of her life, with considerable damage to her marriage as well. (This is despite the fact that her Venus in Libra talisman, which she's had for much longer and wears 24/7, was extremely effective up to that point; its influence seems to have been completely overpowered.) Now that has a lot to do with the already pronounced saturnine qualities of the past year, I'm sure. But even so, how could a talisman designed for safety, health, power, wealth, wisdom and marital accord backfire so spectacularly? Is it simply that Saturn is not quite strong enough in her chart to be safe for talismanic purposes, and can only manifest negatively? Or might there be a design flaw in the talisman itself?

As that may be, clearly it's a bit too dangerous for her to keep experimenting with, so she's had it stored in a back closet for a while, but now figures it's best to go ahead and deconsecrate it just to be safe. What would be the best method of doing so? Or would it be sufficient to simply keep it wrapped in silk or linen indefinitely?

And since her finances are currently in tatters, she was curious as to what your favorite hoodoo operation(s) for attracting money might be?

Thanks as always for MM!

[ecosophia]

Okay. First of all, I take it she ignored Chris's advice. He's pointed out over and over again that if you have an afflicted planet, do not under any circumstances try to use an astrological talisman of that planet. It's not just that Saturn is "too weak" in her chart; it's peregrine and retrograde, thus afflicted, and will always manifest itself in negative ways if stimulated by astrological magic. By buying that talisman, she did a very effective job of cursing herself.

I'm not at all sure she was wise to expect marital accord, health, and wealth from a Saturn talisman under any condition, as Saturn is the planet of solitude, chronic illness, and poverty, but when you combine that with an afflicted natal Saturn, you've got a hot mess on your hands.

So what should she do? The first step is to get rid of the talisman. I'd encourage her to return it to Chris and not ask for a refund -- the money she spent can be thought of as an offering to the offended planetary intelligence -- or give it to someone who has a well dignified Saturn, again, without asking for payment. The second step is to do planetary charity to Saturn, following the instructions exactly as given, to ameliorate the effects -- if she does that, she should have the negative Saturnine influences ameliorate promptly. (Stress that she has to follow the instructions to the letter. If she doesn't, things will get much, much worse.)

As for money spells, I don't recommend those, because people almost always try to use them to get money they haven't earned -- and that reliably blows up in their faces. The important thing to do is get the Saturn influence lifted, and then she should find her finances improving as the Venus in Libra talisman has a chance to act again.

Re: Storing Druid Wands

[ecosophia]

If they're not consecrated you don't have to worry about that. Just store them however you wish.

[(Anonymous)]

1) Is it unbalanced to just to the LBRP long-term, without doing the Middle Pillar alongside it? I've been doing both, but finding it a squeeze time-wise.

2) What is the precise difference in effect between a banishing ritual like the LBRP or SOP and a hoodoo bath? Is it that a hoodoo bath has its cleansing effect only on the person doing it, while a banishing ritual also has an impact on the space and can thus indirectly benefit others?

3) When using herbs for magical protection (for example, I've got some dill from the garden hanging in my front window at the moment), how often should you replace them? My feeling is that once they've turned brown they are probably not very effective, but other than that I'm not sure. I don't want to leave them hanging if they're not doing anything, but it also feels impractical to change it every few days. Is there a traditional rule of thumb for regular intervals (i.e. changing them once a week or every two weeks), or is it more a matter of intuition and observation?

[ecosophia]

1) If you just do the LBRP without invoking anything, you're likely to see long-term a loss of connection with the inner world, and possibly a decline in vitality. You need to balance invoking and banishing. Try doing them both at a different time of day, or setting your alarm fifteen minutes early.

2) They work from different planes. The hoodoo bath is natural magic, so it starts from the material plane and works strongly on the etheric plane and not so strongly on the astral plane. A banishing ritual, as ritual magic, starts on the astral plane -- or the mental, if you can tap into the archetypal mental patterns behind the symbols -- and works down from there. Since the natural flow of the inner planes is down from above, the banishing ritual is stronger, but of course it also takes a lot more practice.

[(Anonymous)]

Can you suggest any reliable workings for locating lost items?

[(Anonymous)]

(I’m not JMG)

“Good Saint Anthony, come around
Something’s lost that must be found.”

He’s never failed me yet. The guy’s a saint. 😄. (How would YOU like to spend eternity looking for other people’s lost car keys?). Don’t forget to thank him.

Hieronymous Machine

[(Anonymous)]

Fascinated to see this mention of the Hieronymous Machine. I wonder, are you familiar with Bill Tiller's work, and if so, do you think he begins to explain magic? (Or vice versa?)

MILLICENTLY LURKING

Re: Hieronymous Machine

[ecosophia]

No, I don't think I've even heard of Bill Tiller before. (Remember, I mostly read books by dead people.) Hints would be welcome!

[(Anonymous)]

I live in Canada and have extended family in the US, and have a few questions about things I noticed on a trip to visit them.

1) I've noticed a long time ago that whenever I travel in the US I feel tense, as if something is going horribly wrong, and have a hard time thinking clearly. Since this is exactly the state of mind cacomagic aims for, since it's easier to control people in this state of mind, I think it's likely the cacomagic. Do you have advice for how to avoid getting sucked into this state?

2) My go to would be a banishing ritual, but whenever I travel in the US my etheric body ends up starved. It's remarkably hard to get real food, and my etheric body is quite picky, with the results that food everyone else finds okay doesn't work for me. I find that when fasting it's helpful to avoid doing too much hard work, and so doing multiple banishings a day while etherically starving is probably not the best idea. Am I correct to think that road leads to problems and should be traveled carefully?

[(Anonymous)]

(I’m not JMG)

Many of us who live here feel that way too, so I think you’re on to something!

Names

[(Anonymous)]

My parents saddled me with a mythologically-fraught name. Sort of like being named "Jezebel" or "Medusa" only more so. I've always liked the name-- I'm used to it. But I can't use it online, because it's become a popular pseudonym for wannabe vampires and people who enjoy whips-and-chains action. It causes people to make wildly inaccurate assumptions about me. More and more that bleeds over into real life, when I meet new people-- "Hi, I'm "... (awkward pause)(suggestive eyebrow waggling)... That initial reaction can be a useful character assessment, but I'm considering using my baptismal name more often.

Other cultures have quite a lot of custom built up around the naming of children, in order to give them good fortune, or avert bad fortune.

Is a name just a name? Or are there deeper implications? Does a name connect you with the person or entity whose name you share? What effect does changing your name have?

Re: Names

[ecosophia]

Names matter, though it's mostly because they shape how other people think of you. You can certainly change how people think of you by changing your name. Attention to names can be taken to extremes, but certainly in a case like yours, using your baptismal name or a nickname might be a good idea.

Nwyfre/QiGong

[(Anonymous)]

Hello,

When practicing the telluric (and solar) exercise, it reminds me of the phase in QiGong cycles where you collect the energy with your hands and gently push it into your womb center. Is this the right idea? Was the exercise even derived from QiGong?

Thank you and a happy magic Monday to all.

Re: Nwyfre/QiGong

[ecosophia]

The exercise isn't from qigong sources -- I got the original version from a book by Mouni Sadhu aka Dymitr Sudowski, a Polish occultist in the Martinist tradition, and then modified it through experimentation. Don't focus too much on the womb center and don't push the energy: let it flow of its own accord from your hands all the way along your midline, energizing every point along the way.

Slavic deities

[(Anonymous)]

Just curious to know if anyone here is invoking Slavic deities in an SoP or GD ritual?

Re: Slavic deities

[(Anonymous)]

I would be keen to know more too.

I have considered it, but with all but two or three of the Slavic deities I would have been starting my contact with them from scratch via the SoP, and I wasn't sure it was a good idea. There is very little original historical material at all compared with Greco-Roman or Norse, nor is there a large body of experience from modern practitioners in English as there is with Celtic and Druidry. I couldn't know what I was getting into in the same way.

Car Amulet

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

Inspired by your conversation with the Reliant Robin owner last week, I want to make a protective amulet for our aging Subaru. Would this amulet protect against vandalism and accidents, as well as against mechanical problems?

I perused my handy copy of your book on natural magic, and wonder what you think of this combo: tawny agate and/or chalcedony, depending on what I can find; caraway seed; dill seed; fennel seed; dried elecampane root; a leaf from my potentilla (not of the anseria variety—does that matter?). I’m aiming for seven ingredients, as it seems I’ve read here over the years that odd numbers add effectiveness.

Bonus points if the ingredient is flagged as “Mercury in Virgo” in your book, such as the elecampane, fennel, and hazel nut?

Should this amulet “run” for as long as we own our car? Would it need to be replaced on a regular schedule?

Thanks for your time!

OtterGirl

Re: Car Amulet

[ecosophia]

That should work very well. You'll probably need to replace it at intervals -- use divination to get a sense of when.